The interim secretariat complex of Andhra Pradesh at Velagapudi in Amaravati, which used to have restricted entry for visitors during the Chandrababu Naidu regime till recently, is now buzzing with hectic activity.
During the TDP regime, the Secretariat premises used to wear a deserted look. Except the Secretariat employees and ministers, the entry for visitors was restricted.
Only during the visiting hours between 3 pm and 5 pm, there used to be visitors to the premises after obtaining valid passes.
Even the private vehicles were never used to be allowed into the Secretariat premises, except of course those belonging to the ministers and officials. Visitors used to come inside the premises by battery cars.
Now, the situation is entirely different in the Velagapudi secretariat complex.
It is being flooded with YSR Congress party workers every day and all the peshis of ministers are being thronged with visitors on some work or the other.
Private vehicles are freely entering the premises and are being parked wherever there is a space.
Though they say chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had strictly warned his ministers not to indulge in any lobbying and recommending undue favours to anybody, the reality is different.
One can find the MLAs making regular visits to one minister to another and from one senior official to another with recommendation letters.
Hectic lobbying for postings, transfers and appointments has been going on in the secretariat. Even in the canteens, the YSRC workers are seen doing lobbying with the officials.
“The typical Congress culture seems to be back in the Jagan regime. During the YSR government between 2004 and 2009, a similar situation used to be seen in the state secretariat in Hyderabad. Now, we are witnessing it in Amaravati,” a visitor said.